Jaloon Htaw – One full year after Burma’s 2010 elections, the country has few indications of genuine progress, according to Mon leaders.
“There is no significant progress because the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) can only submit bills to the parliament (Hluttaw), and other parties can only ask questions,” said Nai Ngwe Thein, vice chairman of Mon National Democratic Font (MNDF).
“While some ceasefires have been declared with armed ethnic groups, no actual peace talks with the groups have taken place, and the groups aren’t allowed to participate in politics. Ethnic people are still having difficulty in finding enough money for their survival. That’s why the prospects for ethnic groups having lasting peace with the government is even less likely than before, added Nai Ngwe Thein.
Since U Thein Sein became the new Burmese president, the government has released about 200 political prisoners, discussed various issues with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and given more freedom to the media, said Nai Tin Aung, a former Central Executive Committee Member of the New Mon State Party.
“Even though we have only gotten a few improvements, if we compare with not getting anything, it is an improvement. But as a new government, U Thein Sein’s government should change the way they are operating in the Kachin State. It also should release all of the remaining political prisoners. After that, we could say there has been real progress on the way to democracy. We as politicians are watching for real change,” said Nai Tin Aung.
One important positive result of Burma’s changing process of government is the delaying of the Myitsone hydropower project, even though it has caused the government the displeasure of China, said former colonel of the New Mon State Party, Nai Kao Rot.
“It is not progress with speed, but we are seeing some progress slowly. But we realize there is only hope for the ethnic people if we can implement a 21st century Panglong Agreement,” added Nai Kao Rot.
